Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor

ABSTRACT

A winch assembly is provided including a single mounting bracket for mounting the winch assembly directly to a frame (for example beams) of a vehicle having a front and rear. The mounting bracket has a winch mounting area provided therewith, and a tire carrier and cooperative flexible member outlet area spaced from the winch mounting area towards the front of the vehicle. The mounting bracket is adapted to bolt directly to the frame members (for example beams) of a vehicle. The mounting bracket for the winch therefore obviates the need to provide welded or fastened reinforcing plates with the vehicle proximate the locations wherein the winch assembly is to be mounted.

This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/956,999, filed on Oct. 6,1992.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to safety devices which maintain a load in aretained position. More specifically this invention finds applicationfor tires which are stored under a vehicle, having been raised to thatposition by a tire winch, which includes letting out and reeling in aresilient flexible member such as a cable to move the tire from alowered position to a stored position. A safety device is thereforprovided, which ensures the tire remains in the stored position shouldthe resilient member break. This application also relates to embodimentsof a rotary actuator which in a preferred embodiment is embodied withthe winch

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A great number of devices exists which raise and lower a load, andspecifically a spare tire from a stored position underneath a vehicle toa lowered position for access by an individual. Conventionally the tirecarrier may be pinned to the frame by nut and bolt or the like to retainthe tire in a raised position, should a resilient member break.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,167 to Kabushiki Kaisha, describes an improvedholding device for a spare tire which includes a tire carrier portionsuspended from a chain so that a tire is retained in a stored positionand is locked in position. The release of the lock is actuated by therotation of the shaft 9 which causes the disengagement of the lever fromthe groove of the wheel support member. Therefore rotation of theoperating shaft in the appropriate direction is what is required toraise and lower the spare wheel. Further the assembly of theaforementioned device is quite heavy and cumbersome in operation as bestseen in FIGS. 3, 4, 9 and 10 thereof. The '167 patent, provides a pawlor spring steel spring 19 which prevents the rotation of the ratchetwheel, as seen in FIG. 2, 6(a, b), and 7, wherein member 19 forciblyengages the peripheral edge of the ratchet wheel 5 and prevents therotation of the wheel in the direction which causes release of thechain.

It would therefore be advantageous in one aspect of the invention toprovided a positive locking of the wheel in position which is lesscomplicated and in one embodiment is not dependent upon the rotation ofthe shaft, and the mechanical reliability of all of the interrelatedcomponents, which are required for such a mechanism to work. It wouldalso be advantageous to simplify the '167 structure considerably so asto provide a simple device which upon rotation of the winch handlereleases the locking device in a positive manner.

Nowhere within the prior art is there found a latch which is releasedupon rotation of the cranking device using a member which releases thelatch upon rotation of the cranking mechanism in a much simplifiedmanner than presently known devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,785 to Deuer Manufacturing describes a securingmechanism for a spare tire which is normally disengaged from the carrierof the tire when the tire is in the raised position. Should the cablebreak locking pins are urged to engage the tire carrier and hold it in araised position so the tire is not lost. This mechanism includes lockingpins which are urged outwardly by springs. Should salt spray over anumber of years degrade the quality of response of these pins, it ispossible that the device may fail just when it is most needed.

Heretofore it has been known to provide separate mounting plates forwinch and tire carrier assemblies spaced from one another for mounting(for example welding) to separate reinforcing members of the vehicle. Asbest as is known, nowhere is there provided a single mounting member fora winch and tire carrier assembly supplied with the winch assembly whichobviates the need to provide the aforementioned reinforcing members withthe vehicle proximate the mounting location, thus providing bothfunctions with the mounting member of the winch and tire carrierassembly.

It is known to provide a carrier for a tire in a tire winch assembly atthe free end of the flexible member with the other end being engagedwith a winch reel. Many manufacturers provide winches in various modelsof their trucks and vans which vehicles have varying tire sizes. Itwould therefore be beneficial to provide a carrier which is adaptable toreceive several sizes of tires therewith for use with a winch assembly.

It is a further object of this invention to provided a safety device fora load carrier which is engaged at all times when the carrier is in theraised position.

It is a further object this invention to provide a safety device for aload carrier which is easy to use and is reliable.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mounting memberfor the winch assembly with the winch assembly which fastens in placedirectly to the supporting members of the vehicle.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a mounting memberfor a winch assembly supplied with the winch assembly which obviates theneed to provide mounting members within the vehicle, thus providing bothfunctions with the mounting member of the winch assembly.

It is a further object of an improvement to the invention to provide arotary actuator which controls an operating device for a remotemechanism and which operation of the actuator device moves the operatingmechanism. Preferably the actuator is embodied with a winch mechanism asan add on component thereof or as an integral part thereof.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a carrier which isadaptable to receive several sizes of tires therewith for use with awinch assembly.

Further and other objects of this invention will become apparent to aman skilled in the art when considering the following summary of theinvention and the more detailed description of the preferred embodimentsillustrated herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a safety mechanism for a winch assembly whenstoring a load, such as a tire under a vehicle or a boat on a trailer,in a raised or stored position. The invention finds particularapplication to a spare tire, but those skilled in the art willappreciate the broader benefits of such a structure when used with awinch assembly for other uses such as a boat winch for a trailer or anyanalogous use wherein it is desirable to secure a load in the raised orstored position. The reader is referred to applicants' prior co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/956,999 for a more completeunderstanding of various embodiments of the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a safetydevice for a winch assembly, the assembly including a winch having ahousing containing a winch reel, the winch being affixed by mountingmeans near a stored position for a load, the winch reel by the operationof a handle and an accessible drive shaft lets out and takes up a lengthof a member affixed at one end to the winch reel, wherein letting outand taking up of the member moves the load from a locked stored positionto an unlocked accessible position remote the stored position, a carrierfor carrying the load, the carrier including a first portion and asecond portion, the first portion for supporting the load, and thesecond portion being disposed with the first portion in use and engagedin use with the other end of the member remote the winch, the secondportion of the carrier including a first detent, the safety device beingmoveable by rotation of said handle when said winch reel is rotated, thesafety device comprising an actuating member rotatable by rotation ofsaid handle when said winch reel is rotated, the actuating member beingengaged with the drive shaft of said winch reel and having disposedtherewith a control, the control of the actuating member for engagementin use with an operator of said safety device, the operator having adetent associated with the control of said rotatable actuating member inuse and for controlling the motion of said operator when the winch reelis rotated, the safety device having a latching movably affixed withrespect to the assembly, the operator being interconnected with thelatch and being moveable by the rotatable actuating member and thecontrol thereof in engagement with said detent of said operator, from afirst position when the winch reel is not operated and the load is inthe stored position, to a second position when the winch reel isoperated and the load is being moved from the stored position, the latchhaving a second detent disposed therewith and moveable with the latch bythe operator from a third position whereat the load is in the lockedposition when the winch is not operated, and the second detent of thelatch engages the first detent of the second portion of the carrier tolatch the carrier in the stored position and preclude the loss of theload should the member break, to a fourth position whereat the load isunlatched and free to move by the letting out or taking up of the memberby the operation of the winch to and from the accessible position.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided arotatable actuating member for converting rotary motion to alatching/unlatching motion, the rotatable actuating member comprising acontrol, the control for engagement in use with an operator of at leasta two operating position device, the rotatable actuating member being,engaged with and being rotatable with a drive of the at least a twooperating position device, the operator having a detent associated withthe control of said actuating member in use and for effecting the motionof said operator when the rotatable actuating member is rotated, theoperator being movably affixed with respect to the at least twooperating position device, the at least two operating position devicehaving a latch movably affixed with respect thereto, the operator beinginterconnected with the latch and being moveable by the rotatableactuating member and the control in engagement with said detent of saidoperator, from a first position when the latch is not moved, to a secondposition when the latch is moved.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided awinch assembly comprising a winch for letting out and taking up aflexible member and for moving a load from a stored position to anaccessible position, a mounting bracket having a top and a bottom andhaving affixed thereto a latch tube extending away from the bottom ofthe mounting bracket and for guiding the flexible member and the load toand from the stored position, said latch tube having affixed therewith abiased latch moveable away from and toward said latch tube, said latchhaving a first detent provided therewith, the winch assembly having acarrier for carrying the load and engaged with the flexible member, thecarrier having disposed therewith a second detent, wherein when saidload is moved to the stored position the first detent of the latchprovided with the latch tube is positioned with respect to the seconddetent of the carrier to prevent loss of the load, thus ensuring thatshould the flexible member break that the latch will retain the loadproximate the stored position.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided acarrier for a tire comprising a tube having a first and second end andhaving an opening extending from the first end to the second end, thetube having an enlarged head disposed proximate said first end of thetube and having a flared flanged end disposed proximate the second endof the tube, the enlarged end of the tube including a detent forengagement with a latch of a winch assembly in use, the carrier having awheel retaining portion providing a base upon which the tire will restin use (and preferably adapted to carry multiple sizes of tires), saidbase including an opening extending there through which said tube isinserted from the first end to the second end, said opening of saidwheel retainer being large enough to receive the first end of the tubebut will not allow the second end to pass, preferably the bottom of saidwheel retainer being substantially hollow and having disposed within thehollow reinforcing ribs to rigidify the wheel retainer, the tube in usehaving a flexible member extending there through with a retaining nutprovided proximate the end of the flexible member in use and disposedadjacent the opening of the second end of the tube to prevent pullingthe flexible member through the tube in use, wherein said carrier isadapted to retain a spare tire in a winch assembly and to readilyrelease the spare tire from the carrier for user access, (for example inthe separation of the tube and carrier during release of the tire).

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided awinch assembly comprising a single mounting bracket for mounting thewinch assembly directly to a frame (for example beams) of a vehiclehaving a front and rear, the mounting bracket having a winch mountingarea provided therewith, a tire carrier and cooperative flexible memberoutlet area spaced from the winch mounting area towards the front of thevehicle, the mounting bracket being adapted to bolt directly to theframe members (for example beams) of a vehicle, wherein the mountingbracket for the winch obviates the need to provide welded or fastenedreinforcing plates with the vehicle proximate the locations wherein thewinch assembly is to be mounted.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided foruse in a winch assembly affixed to a vehicle via a mounting bracket, awinch housing comprising the operating parts of the winch in use, themounting bracket providing a closure for the winch housing and the winchcomponents, the mounting bracket having disposed therewith a pluralityof openings, said winch housing having provided therewith clip portionswhich are sufficiently flexible to compress or tense when insertedwithin the openings of the mounting bracket to thereby retain the winchhousing and therefore the winch in a predetermined location with thewinch assembly.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided awinch assembly comprising a mounting bracket for mounting the winchassembly to a vehicle, a winch housing containing the operating parts ofthe winch in use, the mounting bracket providing a closure for the winchhousing and the winch components, the mounting bracket having disposedtherewith a plurality of openings, said winch housing having providedtherewith clip portions which are sufficiently flexible to compress ortense when inserted within the openings of the mounting bracket tothereby retain the winch housing and therefore the winch in apredetermined location with the winch assembly.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided amounting member for use in mounting a tire winch and compatible tirecarrier under a vehicle, the mounting member comprising a singlemounting plate adapted to carry the tire winch proximate a firstpredetermined location and the tire carrier proximate a secondpredetermined location, wherein the winch and as result of the operationof the winch a tire is accessible to a user, the mounting plate beingadapted to be bolted directly to the frame members (for example thebeams) of the under carriage of the vehicle and thereat supporting andpositioning the winch and the tire carrier, wherein said single mountingplate obviates the need to provide reinforcing plates with the vehicleproximate the location wherein the winch and tire carrier would bemounted.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided arotatable actuating mechanism for converting rotary motion to a latchingunlatching motion, the rotatable actuating mechanism comprising a firstmember and a second member, the second member including a first detent,the first detent for engagement in use with an operator of at least atwo operating position device such as a tire winch assembly, theoperator having a second detent provided therewith and in communicationwith the first detent of the second member, the at least two operatingposition device having a resiliently biased latch movably affixed withrespect thereto and biased to a latched position, the operator alsobeing interconnected with the latch and being movable by the rotatableactuating member and the first detent of the second member from a firstlatched position wherein the latch is latched to a second unlatchedposition wherein the latch is unlatched , the first and second membershaving frictionally engaging faces engaging one another, wherein whenthe actuating mechanism is rotated the first member rotates, whereinrotation of the first member therefore due to friction rotates thesecond member up to a predetermined limit established by the movement ofthe operator and the first detent of the second member engaging a firststop provided adjacent the actuating mechanism, whereat above saidpredetermined limit said first member will slip in relation to saidsecond member thus continuing the motion of the first member butlimiting the motion of the second member allowing for, in the case of awinch assembly the paying out of a flexible member following the releaseof the latch, wherein rotation of the first member in a second directionopposite the first direction therefore rotates the second member up to apredetermined limit established by a second stop provided adjacent theactuating mechanism whereat at said predetermined limit said firstmember will slip in relation to said second member thus continuing themotion of the first member allowing for example in the case of a winchassembly the taking up of a flexible member on the winch until the latchis latched, but limiting the motion of the second member, the secondmember being limited in the first direction by the first stop and beinglimited in the second direction by the second stop wherein the firstmember will continue to rotate in both directions during the operationof the winch.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided asafety device for a winch assembly, preferably for a spare tire storageassembly, the assembly including a winch having a housing and affixed bymounting means near a stored position for a load, for example thepreferred spare tire, the winch by the operation of handle means letsout and takes up a length of a member (preferably a cable) affixed atone end to the winch and preferably to a reel thereof, which letting outand taking up of the member moves the load, for example the preferredspare tire, installed on a hub, from a locked stored position,preferably under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible position remoteand preferably below the stored position, the safety device comprisingin use a carrier and preferably a tire carrier for carrying the load,for example the preferred spare tire installed on the hub, the carrierincluding a first portion and a second portion, the first portion forsupporting the load, the preferred tire installed on a hub, and thesecond portion being disposed with the first portion in use and engagedin use with the other end of the member remote the winch, the secondportion of the carrier including a detent portion, (preferably ashoulder), the safety device being moveable and preferably rotatable byrotation of said handle means when said winch is rotated and includingan actuating member preferably for converting rotary motion tosubstantially linear motion, the rotatable actuating mechanismcomprising a first member and a second member, the second memberincluding a first detent, the first detent for engagement in use with anoperator of the winch assembly, the operator having a second detentprovided therewith and in communication with the first detent of thesecond member, the at least two operating position device having aresiliently biased latch movably affixed with respect thereto and biasedto a latched position, the operator also being interconnected with thelatch and being movable by the rotatable actuating member and the firstdetent of the second member from a first latched position wherein thelatch is latched to a second unlatched position wherein the latch isunlatched, the first and second members having frictionally engagingfaces engaging one another, wherein when the actuating mechanism isrotated the first member rotates, wherein rotation of the first membertherefore due to friction rotates the second member up to apredetermined limit established by the movement of the operator and thefirst detent of the second member engaging a first stop providedadjacent the actuating mechanism, whereat above said predetermined limitsaid first member will slip in relation to said second member thuscontinuing the motion of the first member but limiting the motion of thesecond member allowing for the paying out of a flexible member followingthe release of the latch, wherein rotation of the first member in asecond direction opposite the first direction therefore rotates thesecond member up to a predetermined limit established by a second stopprovided adjacent the actuating mechanism whereat at said predeterminedlimit said first member will slip in relation to said second member thuscontinuing the motion of the first member allowing for the taking up ofa flexible member on the winch until the latch is latched, but limitingthe motion of the second member, the second member being limited in thefirst direction by the first stop and being limited in the seconddirection by the second stop wherein the first member will continue torotate in both directions during the operation of the winch.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a safetydevice for a spare tire storage assembly, the assembly including a winchaffixed by a mounting bracket adjacent a stored position for the sparetire under a vehicle, the winch by the operation of a separate handlelets out and takes up a length of a cable affixed at one end to thewinch and preferably to a reel thereof, which letting out and taking upof the cable moves the spare tire, installed on a hub, from a lockedstored position under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible positionbelow the stored position, the safety device comprising in use a tirecarrier for carrying the spare tire installed on the hub, the carrierincluding a first portion for insertion within an opening in the hub andpreferably abutting the bottom of the hub, and a second shank portionhaving two ends and being engaged with the first portion proximate oneend and having an expanded head proximate the other end, the firstportion for supporting the spare tire installed on a hub, and the secondshank portion being engaged with the first portion and being engagedwith the other end of the cable remote the winch proximate the head ofthe second shank portion, the head of the second shank portion of thecarrier including a shoulder adjacent the shank portion, the safetydevice being rotatable by rotation of said handle when said winch isrotated and including an actuating member for converting rotary motionto substantially linear motion, the actuating member being engageablewith said winch proximate one side thereof remote said handle in use,the rotatable actuating mechanism comprising a first member and a secondmember, the second member including a first detent, the first detent forengagement in use with an operator of the tire winch assembly, theoperator having a second detent provided therewith and in communicationwith the first detent of the second member, the winch having aresiliently biased latch movably affixed with respect thereto and biasedto a latched position, the operator also being interconnected with thelatch and being movable by the rotatable actuating member and the firstdetent of the second member from a first latched position wherein thelatch is latched to a second unlatched position wherein the latch isunlatched, the first and second members having frictionally engagingfaces engaging one another, wherein when the actuating mechanism isrotated the first member rotates, wherein rotation of the first membertherefore due to friction rotates the second member up to apredetermined limit established by the movement of the operator and thefirst detent of the second member engaging a first stop providedadjacent the actuating mechanism, whereat above said predetermined limitsaid first member will slip in relation to said second member thuscontinuing the motion of the first member but limiting the motion of thesecond member allowing for the paying out of a flexible member followingthe release of the latch, wherein rotation of the first member in asecond direction opposite the first direction therefore rotates thesecond member up to a predetermined limit established by a second stopprovided adjacent the actuating mechanism whereat at said predeterminedlimit said first member will slip in relation to said second member thuscontinuing the motion of the first member allowing the taking up of aflexible member on the winch until the latch is latched, but limitingthe motion of the second member, the second member being limited in thefirst direction by the first stop and being limited in the seconddirection by the second stop wherein the first member will continue torotate in both directions during the operation of the winch.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided arotatable actuating mechanism rotatable on a drive shaft and forconverting rotary motion to a latching unlatching motion, the rotatableactuating mechanism comprising a preferably bifurcated member(preferably formed from a continuous elongated flattened section ofspring steel and preferably having a central yoke shaped portion forfrictionally engaging the drive shaft (preferably within a groovepreferably of 1 mm depth) and having two legs extending therefrom, bothlegs for providing a stop feature for the actuator and one of the legsfor providing the first detent) and including a first detent and a firstand second stop, the first detent for engagement in use with an operatorof at least a two operating position device such as a tire winchassembly, the operator having a second detent provided therewith and incommunication with the first detent of the bifurcated member, the atleast two operating position device having a resiliently biased latchmovably affixed with respect thereto and biased to a latched position,the operator also being interconnected with the latch and being movableby the rotatable actuating member and the first detent of the preferablybifurcated member from a first latched position wherein the latch islatched to a second unlatched position wherein the latch is unlatched,the actuating mechanism having a frictionally engaging surface(preferably the inside surface of the central yoke) engageable with thedrive shaft, wherein when the drive shaft is rotated the preferablybifurcated member rotates up to a predetermined limit established by themovement of the operator and the first and second stops of thepreferably bifurcated member engaging at least a third stop providedadjacent the actuating mechanism, whereat above said predetermined limitsaid preferably bifurcated member will slip in relation to said driveshaft thus continuing the motion of the drive shaft but limiting themotion of the preferably bifurcated member allowing for, in the case ofa winch assembly the paying out of a flexible member following therelease of the latch, wherein rotation of the preferably bifurcatedmember in a second direction opposite the first direction thereforerotates the member up to a predetermined limit established by the atleast a third stop provided adjacent the actuating mechanism whereat atsaid predetermined limit said preferably bifurcated member will slip inrelation to said drive shaft thus continuing the motion of the driveshaft allowing for example in the case of a winch assembly the taking upof a flexible member on the winch until the latch is latched, butlimiting the motion of the preferably bifurcated member, the preferablybifurcated member being limited in the first direction by the first stopengaging the at least a third stop and being limited in the seconddirection by the second stop engaging the at least a third stop, whereinthe preferably bifurcated member will rotate in both directions duringthe operation of the drive shaft.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided asafety device for a winch assembly, preferably for a spare tire storageassembly, the assembly including a winch having a drive shaft, a housingand affixed by mounting means near a stored position for a load, forexample the preferred spare tire, the winch by the operation of handlemeans lets out and takes up a length of a member (preferably a cable)affixed at one end to the winch and preferably to a reel thereof, whichletting out and taking up of the member moves the load, for example thepreferred spare tire, installed on a hub, from a locked stored position,preferably under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible position remoteand preferably below the stored position, the safety device comprisingin use a carrier and preferably a tire carrier for carrying the load,for example the preferred spare tire installed on the hub, the carrierincluding a first portion and a second portion, the first portion forsupporting the load, the preferred tire installed on a hub, and thesecond portion being disposed with the first portion in use and engagedin use with the other end of the member remote the winch, the secondportion of the carrier including a detent portion, (preferably ashoulder), the safety device being rotatable by rotation of said handlemeans when said winch is rotated and including an actuating memberpreferably for converting rotary motion to substantially linear motion,the rotatable actuating mechanism comprising a preferably bifurcatedmember (preferably formed from a continuous elongated flattened sectionof spring steel and preferably having a central yoke shaped portion forfrictionally engaging the drive shaft (preferably within a groovepreferably of 1 mm depth) and having two legs extending therefrom, bothlegs for providing a stop feature for the actuator and one of the legsfor providing the first detent) and including a first detent and a firstand second stop, the first detent for engagement in use with an operatorof the winch assembly, the operator having a second detent providedtherewith and in communication with the first detent of the preferablybifurcated member, the at least two operating position device having aresiliently biased latch movably affixed with respect thereto and biasedto a latched position, the operator also being interconnected with thelatch and being movable by the rotatable actuating member and the firstdetent of the preferably bifurcated member from a first latched positionwherein the latch is latched to a second unlatched position wherein thelatch is unlatched, the actuating mechanism having a frictionallyengaging surface (preferably the inside surface of the central yoke)engageable with the drive shaft, wherein when the drive shaft is rotatedthe preferably bifurcated member rotates up to a predetermined limitestablished by the movement of the operator and the first and secondstop of the preferably bifurcated member engaging at least a third stopprovided adjacent the actuating mechanism, whereat above saidpredetermined limit said preferably bifurcated member will slip inrelation to said drive shaft thus continuing the motion of the driveshaft but limiting the motion of the preferably bifurcated memberallowing for the paying out of a flexible member following the releaseof the latch, wherein rotation of the preferably bifurcated member in asecond direction opposite the first direction therefore rotates themember up to a predetermined limit established by the at least a thirdstop provided adjacent the actuating mechanism whereat at saidpredetermined limit said preferably bifurcated member will slip inrelation to said drive shaft thus continuing the motion of the driveshaft allowing for the taking up of a flexible member on the winch untilthe latch is latched, but limiting the motion of the preferablybifurcated member, the preferably bifurcated member being limited in thefirst direction by the first stop engaging the at least a third stop andbeing limited in the second direction by the second stop engaging the atleast a third stop, wherein the preferably bifurcated member will rotatein both directions during the operation of the winch.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided asafety device for a spare tire storage assembly, the assembly includinga winch affixed by a mounting bracket adjacent a stored position for thespare tire under a vehicle, the winch by the operation of a separatehandle lets out and takes up a length of a cable affixed at one end tothe winch and preferably to a reel thereof, which letting out and takingup of the cable moves the spare tire, installed on a hub, from a lockedstored position under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible positionbelow the stored position, the safety device comprising in use a tirecarrier for carrying the spare tire installed on the hub, the carrierincluding a first portion for insertion within an opening in the hub andpreferably abutting the bottom of the hub, and a second shank portionhaving two ends and being engaged with the first portion proximate oneend and having an expanded head proximate the other end, the firstportion for supporting the spare tire installed on a hub, and the secondshank portion being engaged with the first portion and being engagedwith the other end of the cable remote the winch proximate the head ofthe second shank portion, the head of the second shank portion of thecarrier including a shoulder adjacent the shank portion, the safetydevice being rotatable by rotation of said handle when said winch isrotated and including an actuating member for converting rotary motionto substantially linear motion, the actuating member being engageablewith said winch proximate one side thereof remote said handle in use,the rotatable actuating mechanism comprising a preferably bifurcatedmember (preferably formed from a continuous elongated flattened sectionof spring steel and preferably having a central yoke shaped portion forfrictionally engaging the drive shaft (preferably within a groovepreferably of 1 mm depth) and having two legs extending therefrom, bothlegs for providing a stop feature for the actuator and one of the legsfor providing the first detent) and including a first detent and a firstand second stop, the first detent for engagement in use with an operatorof the tire winch assembly, the operator having a second detent providedtherewith and in communication with the first detent of the preferablybifurcated member, the winch having a resiliently biased latch movablyaffixed with respect thereto and biased to a latched position, theoperator also being interconnected with the latch and being movable bythe rotatable actuating member and the first detent of the preferablybifurcated member from a first latched position wherein the latch islatched to a second unlatched position wherein the latch is unlatched,the actuating mechanism having a frictionally engaging surface(preferably the inside surface of the central yoke) engageable with thedrive shaft, wherein when the drive shaft is rotated the preferablybifurcated member rotates up to a predetermined limit established by themovement of the operator and the first and second stop of the preferablybifurcated member engaging at least a third stop provided adjacent theactuating mechanism, whereat above said predetermined limit saidpreferably bifurcated member will slip in relation to said drive shaftthus continuing the motion of the drive shaft but limiting the motion ofthe preferably bifurcated member allowing for the paying out of aflexible member following the release of the latch, wherein rotation ofthe preferably bifurcated member in a second direction opposite thefirst direction therefore rotates the member up to a predetermined limitestablished by the at least a third stop provided adjacent the actuatingmechanism whereat at said predetermined limit said preferably bifurcatedmember will slip in relation to said drive shaft thus continuing themotion of the drive shaft allowing for the taking up of a flexiblemember on the winch until the latch is latched, but limiting the motionof the preferably bifurcated member, the preferably bifurcated memberbeing limited in the first direction by the first stop engaging the atleast a third stop and being limited in the second direction by thesecond stop engaging the at least a third stop, wherein the preferablybifurcated member will rotate in both directions during the operation ofthe winch.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided awinch assembly comprising a single mounting bracket for mounting thewinch assembly directly to a frame (for example beams) of a vehicle, thewinch by the operation of handle means lets out and takes up a length ofa member (preferably a cable) affixed at one end to the winch, whichletting out and taking up of the member moves the spare tire, installedon a carrier, from a locked stored position, under a vehicle, to anunlocked accessible position below the stored position, the mountingbracket having a winch mounting area provided therewith, a tire carrierand cooperative flexible member outlet area spaced from the winchmounting area, and having affixed thereto a latch tube extending awayfrom the bottom of the mounting bracket and for guiding the flexiblemember and the tire to and from the stored position, said latch tubehaving affixed therewith a biased latch moveable away from and towardsaid latch tube for engaging below said carrier when the tire is in thestored position, the mounting bracket being adapted to bolt directly tothe frame members (for example beams) of a vehicle, wherein the mountingbracket for the winch obviates the need to provide welded or fastenreinforcing plates with the vehicle proximate the locations where thewinch assembly is to be mounted, wherein when the tire, having sidewalls, is in the stored position the tire abuts the frame of the vehicleproximate the side walls of the tire placing a compressive force on theside walls of the tire which force is generated through tensioning ofsaid flexible member by operation of the winch through the tire carrier,wherein any external displacing force placed on the tire tending toseparate the tire from the winch assembly, for example a scuffing forceapplied when the tire bottoms out against a roadway, will be resisted bythe mounting bracket, the tire carrier, the flexible member, the latchand the latch tube resolving the forces to the frame of the vehicle andpreferably deforming in part the latch tube and latch should theflexible member break.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided awinch assembly, having a mouth from which a resilient member extends,and being contained within a housing and affixed by mounting means neara stored position for a load, for example a preferred spare tire, thewinch assembly comprising a winch reel having cooperating reel platesjoined together in use and providing the winch reel and a base, thewinch reel by the operation of a handle lets out and takes up a lengthof a resilient member (preferably a cable) affixed at one end to thewinch reel proximate the base thereof and substantially accumulating ina coil around the base of the winch reel between the reel plates, whichletting out and taking up of the member moves the load, for example thepreferred spare tire, installed on a hub, from a locked stored position,preferably under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible position remoteand preferably below the stored position, the resilient member beingpivotably retained within openings provided in each of the cooperatingreel plates adjacent the base of the winch reel by an arcuate pivotablefitting contained on the end of the flexible member and havingpreferably hammerhead shaped pins provided on the end of the fittingextending between the reel plates for pivoting frictional engagementwithin the respective openings in the reel plates, the arcuate pivotablefitting being moveable from a first position wherein the arcuatepivotable fitting is adjacent the base of the winch reel and forms apart thereof thereby allowing the flexible member to accumulate orpayout in a coil around the base of the winch reel including the arcuatepivotable fitting until such time as the final coil of the resilientmember is payed out whereat the arcuate pivotable fitting will uponcontinued rotation of the reel in the direction tending to pay out theresilient member pivot to a second position proximate the mouth of thewinch assembly and in combination with the resilient member provide ananti-rotate position whereat further rotation of the reel in thedirection tending to pay out the resilient member is prevented, whereinfurther rotation of the reel in the direction tending to accumulate theresilient member upon the base of the reel will move the arcuatepivotable fitting back to the first position and thereby allow theflexible member to accumulate in a coil around the base of the winchreel including the arcuate pivotable fitting.

In a preferred embodiment the arcuate pivotable fitting is swagged ontothe end of the resilient member flattening both the end of the fittingadjacent the member and the portion of the member adjacent the fitting,wherein the at the second position the flattened portion of the memberengages a detent disposed proximate the mouth of the winch assemblythereby providing the anti-rotate position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention there is providedwith any of the aforementioned winch assemblies a drive shaft, whichextends through the winch reel to the actuator, and is fastenedproximate the actuator by a fastener entering an untapped openingdisposed at the end of the drive shaft proximate the actuator, thefastener having a working end which when driven into the untappedopening tends to provide a rolling action for threading the opening andsimultaneously being fastened within the opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a torquelimiting unit for inclusion with a winch assembly, the torque limitingunit including first and second torque limiting plates having meansdisposed upon contacting surfaces and a spring means to ensure theengagement of the means disposed upon the contacting surfaces of thefirst and second plates, one of the plates also including a nut portionfor engagement with a handle in use, the other plate including means forengaging a drive mechanism of a winch in use, wherein the torquelimiting plates, at a predetermined torque, slip with respect to oneanother and thus provide overload protection for any winch to which thetorque limiting unit may be attached or installed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be illustrated with respect to the followingdrawings illustrating embodiments of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a vehicle upon which the invention isinstalled.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the winch assembly of FIG. 1 illustratingthe latching mechanism thereof for securing a tire in a stored positionunder a vehicle and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating the action forunlatching the securing mechanism of the winch assembly when a crank isinserted for operation of the winch illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the latching portion 49 illustrate inperspective and top plan view winch 20 illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective and side views respectively of thereduction gears of the winch illustrated in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic illustrations of improvements of theinvention installed and illustrated in two preferred embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a close-up side plan view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7 and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 9, and 10.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic views of the latching of the carrierillustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an improvement to the torquelimiter of the assembly illustrated in a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 15 is a cut-away view of the integrated assembly of the inventionof FIG. 14 illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a partially cut-away side plan view of a winch including aunique actuator contained within the housing of the winch andillustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the operation of the winch of FIG. 16.

FIG. 16C is a view similar to FIG. 16B illustrating a preferredembodiment for the operation of the anti-rotate feature for the winch.

FIG. 16D is a close-up schematic view of the mouth of the winch and theoperation of the anti-rotate feature illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16E is a close-up schematic view of the arcuate fitting of thewinch and the assembly thereof illustrated in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 8illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 18 through 20 illustrate schematically the actuator 300 of theprevious illustrations and the operation thereof illustrated in apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a winch assembly illustrated in apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are schematic views of a spare tire retained on a tirecarrier and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the winch assembly of FIG. 21illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are a bottom perspective views of the winch assemblyof FIG. 21 illustrated in other preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 23C is a close-up schematic perspective view of the fastening ofthe winch assembly of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23D is an end schematic view of the fastener of FIG. 23C.

FIG. 24 is a close-up perspective view of the components making up therotary actuator 450 of FIG. 23 and illustrated in a preferred embodimentof the invention.

FIGS. 25, 26, 27, 27A, and 28 are side views of the winch assembly ofFIG. 21 and 23 illustrating the paying out and taking up of a tirecarrier and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the installation of the winch of FIG. 17or winch assemblies similar thereto with a mini van.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the installation of the winch assembly ofFIG. 21 proximate the rear of a mini van and illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 32 is an illustration of the under cartridge of the van V1 of FIG.30 illustrating the components necessary for the correct amountingthereof.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view of the installation of the winch assembly ofFIGS. 21 and 31 in a van V2 and illustrated in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view of the installation of the winch assembly ofFIG. 21 in a van VX and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a vehicle V having a winchassembly 20 mounted therewith. Separate from the winch assembly is atorque limiter 30 which may also be integral with the winch. The tire Tis conveniently stored under the vehicle V until such time as a useraccess the tire by lower the tire using the crank handle 5 at the end 6and inserting it to access the torque limiting device 30 attached to thewinch 20. The tire T may then be moved in a direction D2 to lower thetire to the ground. Handle 5 is inserted in a direction D1 in the sleeve40A wherein a latching mechanism generally referred to as 40 isdisposed. The end of the handle 6 engages the cam surface 42a of thelever 40 which is connected to the rod 43 at the end 41. The rod 43 isconnected to a latching mechanism 45 at the end 44 thereof. Thereforethe latching mechanism 45 rotates in response to the movement of thelever 40 to disengage the shoulder 51 of the head of the shank portion50 so that the tire carrier portion and the tire may be lowered to theground.

The assembly includes a mounted plate 29 to which a hollow cylinder 40ais attached, by attaching portions 40b to the bracket 29. When the end 6of the crank 5 therefore is inserted in the cylinder 40a end 6 abuts thelever cam portion 42a which lever 40 is pivoted at pivot 42, the use ofwhich will be described hereinafter. Therefore the end 6 of the crank 5is inserted through to the hollow shaft portion 35 which receives theend 6 of the crank handle 5. The torque limiter 30 therefore includestwo outer housing portions 35a and 36a. The half 35a includes the hollowshaft portion 35 which half 35a connects to the half 36a which connectsto the shaft 36 which continues on to the winch portion 20.

The shaft 36 then continues on to a typical winch including a reel 25.The winch 20 includes a housing 21 mounted to the mounting bracket 15which winch 20 includes gear reduction portion 70 and 60 as best seen inFIGS. 5 and 6 which are used for speed reduction purposes. The use ofthese gears will be described hereinafter. A resilient cable 28 is woundon to and off of the reel 25 by the rotation of the crank 5 in therequired direction. Any winch structure would suffice and the details ofthe winch are not provided for this reason. The important portions ofthe invention are the lever portion 40 and the related latching portion45 which are actuated by the insertion of the end 6 of the crank arm 5through the cylinder 40a.

Disposed below the mounting plate 29 is a extension portion 17. Theshank portion 50a and the head 50 having shoulders 51 adjacent the shankportion 50a are contained within this frame portion 17 when the tire isretained in its stored position. The latching portion 45 thereforeengages the shoulder portions 51 of the tire carrier 50 which retainsthe tire in the stored position should the cable 28 break. Further thelatch mechanism assists carrying the load of the tire in the normalstored position.

The tire T is attached to a rim T1 at flanges T2 as is typically knownin the art. The tire is retained in the stored position by the latch 45being secured to the shoulder 51 of the head affixed to the shank 50aand having a flange 53 extending underneath the rim T1. This flange 53raises and lowers the tire T from the stored position to the accessibleposition as the cable 28 is wound out or wound in. A spring biaseddevice 54 which abuts the flange 54a is provided to retain the correcttension in the unit. This is well known in the art.

When the crank 5 is inserted toward the winch 20 the end 6 of the crankarm passes through the sleeve 40a and abuts the lever 40 at the camsurface 42a thereof to cause such lever 40 to rotate at its pivot 42 andcauses the rod 43 attached to the crank or lever 40 at the end 41 tomove in a direction compatible to D1 and link with the latch mechanism45 at point 44. Therefore as the rod 43 moves in the direction D1 itcauses the latch mechanism 45 pivoted at 46 via cam portion 47 to pivotin a direction D3 as best seen FIG. 3. Therefore the locking fingers 49are removed from recess 17A of the frame portion 17 disengaging thefinger portions 49 from underneath the shoulder 51 of the head portion50 of the tire carrier 52.

The rotation of the latch in direction D3 allows the release or latchingof the shoulder portion 51 of the tire carrier 52. The tire is shown inthe accessible position about to be cranked up to its stored positionand latched when handle 5 is removed from the cylindrical portion 40a torelease the detent portion 42a and thereby allow the latch portion toreturn to its locked position under the shoulder 51 of the carrier 52wherein the fingers 49 lock under the shoulder 51 on the abuttingarcuate surface 44 thereof wherein the tire is therefore in the latchedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be readily seen that the torquelimiting device 30 is contained separately from the winch assembly 20.Therefore the torque limiting device 30 includes two halves 36a and 35awhich contain the torque limiting plates 30a and 30B which engage at alltimes and are held in constant engagement by the belleville spring 31.Therefore the spring 31 and the plates 30a and 30b are contained betweenthe two portion 36a and 35a The shaft 35 is affixed for example bywelding to portion 35a. The portion 35a and the torque plates 30a and30b are also pressed against the other halve of the housing 36a. Theportions 37 are used for connecting the two plates 35a and 36a looselytogether. Therefore when the shaft 5 at end 6 is inserted within thehollow of the shaft 35 and turned the housing portion 36a and the shaft36 which engages the winch 20 are also rotated. The torque limitingplates 30a and 30b include a multiplicity of teeth, which at apredetermined torque, the plates slip with respect to one another andthus provide overload protection for the winch 20. The torque limitingdevice 30 is a supplement to any winch and it may provide an add onpackage for a winch which has no torque overload protection by merelyinserting this package 30 on a convenient shaft in between the housing20 and the handle.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 there are illustrated ring gear portions60 stamped from a metal disk wherein the recess 65 including the teeth65a are produced by stamping the ring gear 60 so as to raise a portionthereof out of the plane P1 of the ring gear 60. Similarly the planetarygear portion 70 includes teeth 75 which are formed by raising the teeth75 out of the plane P2 of the planetary gear 70. In doing so a pocket isprovided behind the section having the teeth 75 thereon. This thereforeprovides a simple method of forming a ring gear and a planetary gearwhich is easy to manufacture. The ring and planetary gear inter fit asbest shown in FIG. 6 wherein the teeth 75 which extends laterally awayfrom the plain P2 of the ring gear 70 are inserted within the opening65b of the ring gear 60 so that the teeth 65 of the ring gear engage theteeth 75 of the planetary gear. Within the winch 20 there is an offsetwhich is inserted within the opening 63 of the ring gear 60 so that theplanetary gear may wobble about the opening 73 therein and thus providegear reduction which is known as taumel gear reduction. Therefore withinthe winch 20 there is provided taumel gear reductions portions includinga ring gear 60 and an planetary gear 70 which are manufactured by astamping process from flat circular plates and have teeth on the ringgear and teeth on the planetary gear which inter engage having beenformed by metal stamping techniques. Generally there is one less toothformed with the planetary gear than the ring gear to effect the taumelprinciple.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is illustrated two embodiments ofimprovements to the invention. The embodiments illustrate winches 120and 220, installed adjacent the bottom V1 and V2 of vehicles VA and VB,for moving a tire TA and TB from a stored position to an accessibleposition. Specifically FIG. 8 illustrates a winch 220 installed at adistance from the tire TB separated therefrom by an cable access tube228A. Further the winch 220 is disposed horizontally whereas winch 120is disposed vertically. Handle 206 is provided in FIG. 8 to rotate thewinch 220.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 there is illustrated the winch 120of FIG. 7, the winch components being contained between the housing 121and the backing plate 115 similar to the unit described in relation toFIGS. 2 and 3. Nut 135a is provided for access by the handle H at end106a thereof. The winch 120 is attached to the bottom V1 of vehicle VAat 129 by exemplary mounting holes 115b so that the portions illustratedextend through the bottom 129 toward the tire TA. Alternatively theflange 115a may be welded to the bottom 129 of the vehicle. In thismanner the cable 128 may be lowered and raised securely to and from thestored and accessible positions. The tire carrier 150 is provided at oneend of the cable and operates in a similar manner to the assembly ofFIGS. 2 and 3 with the exceptions as will be described as follows.

The backing plate 115 is formed from a single stamping which includesmounting portions 115b and 115a and flanges 115c and 115d. The portion115c has a passage similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 to provide forthe passage of cable 128. The winch 120 and the components thereof arehoused within the cover 121 and the backing plate 115. On the other sideof the backing plate is provided the actuator 300 fixed in position byhexagonal threaded fastener 300a. As best seen in FIGS. 18 through 20there is provided on the side of the actuator nearest bracket 115substantially spiral shaped control paths 301 and 302 within which end181 of serpentine rod 180 is disposed. When the winch 120 is operated bythe handle H, the actuator 300 is also rotated. The handle H2 isoperated and is connected by arm H1 to end H3 wherein is disposed atopening 106a to engage end 135a of spindle 135a. When the winch 120 isoperated in a clockwise direction thereby paying out the cable 128, theactuator 300 will rotate in a counter clockwise direction (when viewedin relation to FIG. 10) moving the rod end 181 towards the perimeter ofthe actuator which causes the lever arm 141a of lever 140 near the otherend 182 of rod 180 to move about pivot 140a fixed to flange 115d ofbracket 115. The leg 141 of lever 140 is fixed at 143b to rod 143 whichin turn engages with openings 148a to locking member 148 which workssubstantially the same as item 48 of FIG. 2 with the exception that item148 moves in a more linear fashion than item 48 of FIG. 2. A torsionspring 148b is provided to bias member 148 within windows 115f of flange115c to the locked position. Therefore when the carrier is in theposition shown in FIG. 13 as the winch 120 is rotated the actuator isalso rotated to move end 181 of rod 180 in the manner described above soas to remove the forks 149 sufficiently away from the carrier shoulder151 to allow the cable 128 to be payed out and the tire to be moved tothe accessible position. When the winch 120 is rotated back to thestored position, after a tire change and presumably with a repaired tirethereon, the rod end 181 will be moved along paths 301 and 302 towardsthe centre nut 300a returning the forked portions 149 to the latchedposition. As the carrier 155 returns to the latched position the head150 abuts the tapered surface 149a of forks 149 at cam surface 150athereby forcing the forks 149 away from the head 150 as best seen inFIG. 12 until the forks are free to return under the shoulders 151 ofhead 150 as best seen in FIG. 13, being biased to do so by torsionspring 148b.

As best seen in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 cable 128 is anchored in slot 160aof circular plate 160 which plate forms one half of the winch reel Rdefined with the other reel plate 161. As shown the cable will thereforewind on the reel R in a clockwise direction (when observed from thehousing end 121 of FIG. 14) in this embodiment only, and accumulates onelayer above another on surface 160b when the winch is operated. Ahousing 121 is provided at one end of the winch components which ismounted via opening 121e (via fasteners not shown) to the bracket 115also providing the other closing end of the winch 120. A spindle 135therefore extends through the opening 121b of housing 121 and an opening117 in the mounting plate 115 as best seen in FIG. 15. A nut end 135a istherefore provided for access by the handle H or for engagement with aseparate clip on torque limiter as best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15. Thespindle 135 therefore passes through an opening 173 of gear plate 170which has gears 175 provided therewith, having nine teeth. A tailportion 170a is provided with gear plate 170 to prevent the freerotation thereof in operation as best seen in FIG. 16A. The spindle 135therefore engages gear plate 170 proximate opening 173 at eccentricportion 135b of spindle 135, the opening 173 being slightly larger thanthe eccentric portion 135b. The eccentric portion therefore wobbleswithin the opening 173 or gear plate 170 in use.

As best seen in FIG. 15 the spindle portion 135d therefore passesthereafter through, the opening 160d of reel plate 160, the opening 161bof reel plate 161, the opening 117 of bracket 115, and finally throughthe opening 300x of the disk shaped actuator 300 whereat a hexagonalthreaded fastener 300a engages opening 135e, as best seen in FIG. 15,thereby fastening and retaining all of the winch components.

The reel plate 160 is constructed similarly to the structure illustratedin FIG. 5 and has a ring gear 165 formed on the side thereof nearest thegear plate 170, as best seen in relation to FIG. 16A, which has tenengaging teeth to engage the nine teeth 175 of gear plate 170. Thisdifference of one tooth in the number of teeth between the gears 165 and175 causes a speed reduction but increased torque in the operation ofthe winch which speed reduction principle is known and described in manywinch assemblies in the prior art. Therefore as the handle H is operatedin a clockwise direction (when observed in FIG. 14), the spindle 135will also rotate in a clockwise direction; the eccentric portion 135boperating within the opening 173 of gear plate 170 with the nine teeth175 engaging the ring gear teeth 165, numbered ten, of reel plate 160thereby driving the reel R in a direction so as to take-up cable.

The cable 128 is anchored in opening 160a of reel plate 160 via fastener128a in a conventional manner. Therefore as the winch is operated thecable will be taken up in the clockwise direction and payed out in thecounterclockwise direction. Of course this may be reversed in design. Asbest seen in relation to FIGS. 11 and 16B there is provided as a part ofthe bottom 160b of reel R, a resiliently biased arm 162 provided as aanti-back driving feature for the winch 120. The arm 162 includes anarcuate side 162a which abuts in use the first coil of cable 128 and isretained in position by the first coil at position X, until the cable ispayed out to the position Y in FIG. 16B, whereat the arm 162 beingresiliently biased outward by torsion spring 162d upon further rotationof the winch engages the detent 121h of the housing 121 at 162b therebypreventing the further rotation of the reel R and the risk of the winchback driving and taking up cable with the further rotation of the winch120 thereby damaging the cable. The arm 162 includes a torsion spring162d having two ends. The first end 162f extends along the arm in a longgroove cut in the arm to ensure the proper biasing and motion of thearm, and the second end 162e extend towards the reel plate 160 and isanchored in an opening in reel plate 160(not shown). A pin extendsthrough opening 162h to anchor the arm 162 to reel plate 161 at opening161d. Generally an arm such as arm 162 is taught in the art in U.S. Pat.No. 2,053,976 issued September of 1936.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15 there is illustrated the same winchstructure of FIGS. 9 through 13 with the addition that a torque limitingunit 130 is provided which fastens to the side of housing 121 by annularring 121a which includes portions 121x which act as clips to fasten overflange 137a of torque limiter housing 137. The housing and the contentsthereof when aligned so as to engages the end 135a of spindle 135 asshown therefore clips in position when the flange 137a is pressed overclips 121x causing the clips to flex downwardly until they pass theflange and clip thereof to retain the housing 137 in position. The clipsare formed with the annular ring 121a of housing 121 with separationsdefined between the portions 121x and the ring 121a to allow theindependent flexing of the clips.

The torque limiter 130 is similar in design to that illustrated in FIGS.1 through 6 with the exception that its is joined to the winch housingas a supplementary member utilizing one side of the winch housing 121 toact as a backing plate for housing 137 to retain the torque limitercomponents. A spring therefore is provided to ensure the engagement ofthe teeth 132, 133 disposed upon adjacent surfaces of gears 130a and130b as best seen in FIG. 15. Member 130a also includes a nut portion130e for engagement with the handle H in use. Member 130b includes aspindle engaging portion 133a to engage portion 135a of the spindle 135and hence drive the winch 120 in the manner described previously.Therefore if the handle H accesses the nut 130 formed with the gear 130via portion H3 thereof, H3 engages the seal H5 of the assembly (which isrecommended as a barrier to dirt and moisture but is optional) and nutportion 130e of the torque limiter extending through opening 137b of thehousing 137. As the handle H is rotated the nut 130e will cause the gear130a to rotate which because of the engagement of teeth 132 and 133 willcause the gear 130b to rotate which will in turn cause spindle end 135ato rotate as engaged by portion 133a of gear 130b. The teeth 132 and 133remain in engagement as biased by belleville spring 131 which undernormal operating conditions ensure the engagement of teeth 132 and 133.The torque limiting plates 130a and 130b include the multiplicity ofteeth 132 and 133, and at a predetermined torque, the plates slip withrespect to one another and thus provide overload protection for thewinch 120. The torque limiting device 130 is a supplement to any winchand it may provide an add on package for a winch which has no torqueoverload protection by merely inserting this package 130 on the winchhousing thereof as illustrated in FIG. 15 and described above. Thebalance of the winch assembly 120 and the operation thereof remains asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is illustrated a winch assembly aspreviously described with the exception that the actuator 300 replacesthe reel plate 161 in defining reel R2 with reel plate 160. Otherwisethe operation thereof is identical to previous descriptions of theassembly. However the embodiment of FIG. 16 presents a more compactpackage. Further the torque limiting features illustrated and describedin relation to FIG. 15 may be incorporated therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 17 there is illustrated the winch assembly 220 asillustrated in relation to FIG. 8 which separates the componentspreviously described in order to provide a package which may be orientedhorizontally. Therefore two mounting plates 215 and 216 are provided.The winch 220 being fastened in use to plate 215 at the bottom of thevehicle and including all of the features previously described includingthe actuator 300 for engagement with rod end 281 of rod 280. A tube 228ais provided to smoothly carry the cable 228 from the winch 220 to thetire carrier in a manner consistent with the previous descriptions. Therod 280 operates in a manner consistent with the operation of rod 180described and illustrated above. The latch bracket 216 is mounted underthe vehicle via opening 216e, and carries a latch 248 engageable inopenings 216d disposed with downwardly extending bracket 216c in amanner as previously described. The rod end 282 rides in slots 248a inlatch 248 which as previously described is resiliently biased to thelatched position of the carrier by the torsion spring 248b. The rod 280is guided by portion 215f and an equivalent portion on member 216 (notshown) to ensure rod 280 travels in a substantially linear path toprovide linear motion of latch 248 when engaging and disengaging thecarrier head 150. Otherwise the operation of the winch 220 and rod 280in relation to actuator 300 are consistent with the description inrelation to FIGS. 9 through 15 above.

Referring now to FIG. 16A there is illustrate the wobbling effect ofplate 170 and the gears 175 thereof with respect to the ring gear 165 ofreel plate 160 as driven by eccentric 135b of spindle 135. The plate 170includes a tail portion 170a which is retained in area 121g of the spacedefined in housing 121 so as to prevent movement of the plate 170 beyondthe bounds set by 121g. The motion of the eccentric will cause the gear175 to drive the reel plate 160 at a speed reduction as is known anddescribed above.

Referring now to FIG. 18 through 20 and FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 there isillustrated the actuator 300 being molded from nylon or plastic with theopening 300x provided therewith for the fastening of the actuator inposition as described previously. Substantially arcuate paths 301 and302 are provided therewith to control the motion of rod end 181 (or 281)when the winch 120 (or 220) is operated. The paths 301 and 302 aredefined between two substantially spiral shaped raised portions 305which include a centre broad portion 315 and flexible flange portions310 and 320 at the ends of the raised portions 305. Also provide toretain the rod end in use is a raised ring 308. The raised portions 305therefore control the rod end 181 therebetween as the actuator 300 isrotated. For example when the tire is in the stored position and thelatch 148 latches the carrier head 150, it may be desired to lower thetire for access. The rod end therefore begins at the position as shownin FIG. 18 proximate the centre of the actuator 300. If the actuatorwere rotated in a direction D1 the rod will remain in its position ofFIG. 18 and the flexible flanges 320 will flex outwardly away from therod end 181 to allow it to pass in one direction only. However when theactuator 300 is rotated in the direction D2 it will be forced to movealong the substantially spiral path 301 for one quarter of a turn, notbeing able to pass the flexible flange ends 320 of the actuator, untilthe rod end reaches a position near the perimeter of actuator 300. Therod end then travels in paths 303 and 304 bounded by the raised portions305 and the raised collar 308, passing the flexible flanges 310 in onedirection only. The continued rotation of the actuator retains the rodend 181 in the control paths 303 and 304. In moving the rod end 181 fromnear the centre of the actuator 300 to near the perimeter of theactuator 300, the rod 180 therefore has been moved an equivalent linearamount to the radius of the actuator so as to disengage the latch 148form the carrier head shoulder 151 as previously described and to allowthe lowering of the carrier and the tire to the accessible position.Therefore continued rotation of the winch will not change the positionof the rod end 181 until such time as the tire is returned to the storedposition and the actuator is rotated in direction D1 whereat the rod end181 will not be able to pass the flexible flange 310 and will be forcedto return along arcuate path 301 or 302 to near the centre of theactuator 300 whereat the rod end 181 will pass the flexible flanges 320continually until the tire is raised and latched as described previouslyin relation to FIGS. 12 and 13.

All of the components of the winch assemblies previously described maybe manufactured from resilient materials such as nylon or otherthermoplastic materials in order to reduce the weight of the assembly.However this is not essential. In doing so weight savings may berealized. Further the embodiments of the invention considerably reducethe number of components of the assembly and hence reduce the weight andincrease the reliability thereof. For example a winch assembly of FIG. 8may be reduced from previously known structures from 43 parts in totalto 28 parts, a 34% savings, at a weight reduction from 4.75 pounds to3.5 pounds, a 26% savings in weight.

Referring now to FIG. 21 and 23, there is illustrated a winch assembly400 which is manufactured to be installed under a van as seen in FIG.31. The winch assembly therefore includes a single mounting plate 410which has reinforcing portions provided therewith. A land reinforcingportion 419 is provided proximate the latching tube 405 which has twosubstantially square tang portions 405a extending up through an opening405b. The tang portions 405a are therefore welded in position with theland reinforcing portion 419. Extending toward the perimeter of themounting bracket 410 are rib portions 418, 417 and 415 substantially asshown. The side edges of the mounting bracket 410 are reinforced at 420and 421 to provide a rigid mounting bracket for mounting beneath the vanV2 of FIG. 31. A winch assembly containing the components substantiallyas previously described in any of the previous embodiments of winches,is therefore mounted on the bracket 410. The winch assembly 130'therefore includes a housing 131' preferably made from glass fibrereinforced nylon which includes downwardly extending flexible tangportions 131a' which have outwardly extending tooth like detent portionsas best seen in FIG. 25 which press against the openings 410a and themounting bracket 410 and therefore retain the housing 131' in positioneither by compression or tension. A crank portion 135' enables theaccess via handle portion C to the operation of the winch. The winch130' carries a cable which is wound on a reel substantially aspreviously described. The cable 128 therefore extends down through aguide tube 136' through the latching tube 405 and down to the endopposite the reel of the winch 130' wherein a nut 128 is provided forengaging a tire carrier base 455 which engages with a separate tubeportion 445 having an enlarged head at 445a as previously described inrelation to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3 and 4.

The embodiment of FIG. 21 through 28 includes another form of anactuator 450 which converts the rotary motion of the handle C into alinear motion to move the rod 432 from a position as shown in FIG. 23 toa position as shown in FIG. 26. The actuator 450 is mounted on the endof the drive shaft 135' best seen in FIG. 25 which is tapped at the endthereof which allows the screw 453 and the washer 452 to mount theseparate plate portions 451 and 453 to the shaft 135'. The actuator 450therefore includes a generally round plate 453 made from metal and asubstantially round plate 451 made from a plastic material such asnylon, acatel or the like which includes an arm portion 451c includedtherewith a recess 451b for receiving the end of the wire 432. The otherend of the wire portion 432 engages the latch assembly 430 as best seenin FIG. 26 and moves said latch assembly 430 and the forks 430aoutwardly away from the head 445a of the tube 445 so that as the handleC is moved in a direction D1 as seen in FIG. 25, the latch will notencumber the movement of the cable 128 or the tire carrier 455. Thelatch tube 405 includes openings (not shown) through which the forks430a extend. It is suggested that the ends of the forks 430a proximatethe tips 430b be angled outwardly towards the sides of the torque tubeto increase the locking action of the latch. The latch assembly 430 istherefore mounted to the latch tube 405 which is mounted to the mountingplate 410. The cable tube 136' extends down into the latching tube 405and the cable thereafter extends down to the end of the tire carrierproximate the nut 128a. The latch 430 is operated by the wire 432 as thewinch is rotated so that unknown to the operator the safety mechanismprovided with latch 430 and the latch tube 405 in conjunction with thetire carrier portions 445a and 445 will move away from the head 445a ofthe carrier therefore allowing the user to crank the spare tire down tothe ground without knowing that a safety mechanism exists as previouslydescribed. The safety mechanism will ensure that should the cable breakthat the tire will not fall, wherein the head 445a and specifically theshoulder thereof will engage the latch portion 430a and 430b and preventlosing the tire T1.

The actuator portion 450 therefore will rotate with the winch 130' untilsuch time as the arm portion 451c engages the stop portion S2substantially as shown in FIG. 26 wherein the metal plate 453 willcontinue to rotate along with the winch allowing the tire carrier 455 tobe moved downwardly toward the ground whereas the plastic portion 451and specifically the face thereof 451a will slip in relation to face450a and allow the continued motion of the winch to pay out the cable128 and the carrier 445 down to the ground in the direction shown inFIG. 26 and the clutch plates will slip in relation to one another toallow for this action to occur. The latch therefore will stay in theposition substantially shown in FIG. 26 until such time as the winch iscranked in the opposite direction after the tire is removed as shown inFIG. 27 wherein as described in relation to FIG. 27a the actuator willadopt the position initially as shown in FIG. 27 wherein the arm portion451c will engage stop S1 and the plate 453 will continue to rotate andthe plate 451 will slip in relation to plate 453 and the latch 430 willbe positioned substantially as shown in FIG. 27 until such time as thehead portion as previously described and now illustrated in FIG. 27 withrelation to this embodiment will engage the incline surface of the latchportion 430a proximate the portion 430b causing the latch 430 to movebackwardly in a direction D2 as the handle C is cranked in the directionD3 and allowing the fork portions 430b to rest below the head 445a ofthe carrier portion 445. This action works substantially as previouslydescribed. The major differences with this assembly is the singlemounting bracket and the clutch plate actuator which converts the rotarymotion of the winch to the linear motion to disengage the latch.

Referring now to FIG. 23, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, there is also illustrateda unique tire carrier which is made up of two parts. The first part is atube portion 445 having two ends and having located near the first endan extended head 445a and near the other end a tapered portion 445b. Thetube includes an opening extending through the center thereof to receivethe cable 128 which is anchored in position at the bottom of the tube asshown. The base portion 455 includes an opening 455d extending therethrough and including a tapered wall 455e to receive the taper of theenlarged portion 445b of the tube so that the first end 445a willreadily pass through opening 455d but the second end 445b will not. Thistwo part construction of the tire carrier is convenient as the twoportions 445 and 455 separate when removing a tire from the carrier sothat the tire easily comes off the carrier when moving the tire to theground and alternatively when the carrier is assembled to carry the tireas the two portions 445 and 455 come together to form a unique carrier.The base portion 455 includes on the bottom 455a thereof alternating rib455b and openings 455c to reduce the amount of plastic required used toform the base and yet still form a strong base. The two portionstherefore come together to form a unique tire carrier which as best seenin relation to FIG. 21A and 21B and which also provides for the variouswidths of tires to be stored on the tire carrier.

Referring now to FIG. 29 and FIG. 10 there is illustrated a similarembodiment to that of FIG. 10 with the exception that the structure ofFIG. 29 includes the actuator of FIG. 21 and not the actuator 300 ofFIG. 10. In mounting bracket 410' therefore is provided for a winchassembly 120' having a crank portion which is accessible at 135a'. Themounting bracket 410' is reinforced at the perimeter thereof viaportions 420' and 421' and proximate the mounting holes 411' atreinforcing rib 422'. The latching tube 148' is provided with a latch149' which works substantially the same as that described in relation toFIG. 10. The two part carrier assembly including portions 445 and 455 isprovided with this assembly. A rod portion 432 extends down from theactuator portion 450 substantially as previously described in relationto FIGS. 21 and 23 which engage the end of a cam shaped sector 460 whichengages the spring portion 431 which activates the latch portion 149'.The embodiment of FIG. 29 is meant to be installed within a pick-uptruck environment whereas the embodiment of FIG. 21 is designed to beinstalled in a mini van.

Referring now to FIG. 30 and 32, there is illustrated the installationof the winch assembly of FIG. 17 in a van V1 so that the mountingbracket 215 is located proximate the wheel well for the tire at the reardriver side of the vehicle. The bracket 216 is mounted substantially asshown near the center of the vehicle so that the tire T3 may be raisedand lowered near the bumper R1 at the rear of the vehicle V1. As seen inFIG. 32 therefore, a reinforcing member P1 is therefore provided formounting of the tire carrier bracket 216 substantially as shown whichmember P1 is tack welded to the beam portions B2 and B1. The bracket P1therefore will accept the tire carrier bracket 216 which also includes alatching tube portion 216c substantially seen in FIG. 17. In providingthis installation as shown the winch bracket 215 may also require areinforcing bracket P2 installed adjacent the wheel well of the van atthat location so that the winch 130 may be operated. When accessing thewinch therefore, a user will be located near the rear left of thevehicle in the direction of traffic T as seen in FIG. 30 and there is agreater safety risk for the user at that location. The vehicle V1therefore includes a corrugated floor pan F1 which includes beamportions B1 and B2 which are generally hat shaped sections. Further, thereinforcing portion P1 is generally a hat shaped section as well and thebracket 215 may be alternatively welded to the side rail of the wheelwell wherein a further reinforcing bracket may or may not be present.

Referring now to FIG. 31 and 33 there is illustrated the installation ofthe winch assembly of FIG. 21 within a vehicle V2 near the rear thereof.The mounting bracket 410 therefore is mounted via mounting openings 411and 412 to beams B1 and B2 which are substantially the same position forthe vehicle V1 as vehicle V2 proximate the rear R2 of vehicle V2. Thereinforcing portions 417, 415, 418, 419, 420 and 421 are provided with asingle mounting bracket 410 for the winch 130' and the winch housing131' mounted proximate the rear of the vehicle V2 where it is mounted tothe beams B1 and B2 without the need of reinforcing plates or weldingthus eliminating costly, manufacturing labour and materials. Further insuch an installation, the winch handle C therefore is disposed closer tothe center of the vehicle V2 so that the individual using the winch isnot as endangered in the line of traffic as with the case of FIG. 30.The hat section bracket P1 of FIG. 32 is therefore eliminated in FIG. 33as is the need for welding to the cross beams. The winch assembly now issubstantially in line with the center line of the vehicle via a 5 voltmounting system with the tire carrier disposed more to the front and thecrank and winch assembly disposed more to the rear of the vehicle.Therefore the embodiment of FIG. 21 is much simplified, much morecompact and ergonomically engineered than is the installation of FIG.17.

The winch assembly of FIGS. 21 (and also FIG. 29) therefore includes aone piece plastic housing which readily clips into position within theopenings of the mounting bracket 410 via openings 410a. A shaft extendstherefore through the winch from the crank portion 135' which extendsfrom proximate one end of the winch as best seen in FIG. 21 to theactuator 450 which releases a latch 430 for a safety latch systemembodied with a latching tube 405 which extended downwardly from thesame mounting bracket 410 to which the winch 130' as assembled. Thewinch components may be made from plastic, nylon, delrin or any otherstrong resilient acceptable material.

Referring now to FIG. 16C, in relation to FIGS. 16D and 16E, there isillustrated a winch housing 121 having a winch reel 160 containedtherein which has a hub portion 160X formed therewith, and in oneembodiment formed from nylon or fiber reinforced nylon or other plasticmaterial. The hub portion 160X is raised laterally from the side of thereel plate 160 as best seen in relation to FIG. 15. An opening isprovided at 160Y in the raised hub portion 160X of the reel plate 160.The shaft 135 extends through an opening adjacent the center of the hub.The cable 128 is payed out and taken up on the hub 160X as the winch isrotated. The cable has an arcuate fitting 510 provided at the endthereof substantially as shown in FIG. 16E. The arcuate fitting has anend 515 which is clamped to the end 128B of the cable 128. As the end515A is flattened by the clamping action, so is the cable portion 128Bnearest the flattened portion 515 of the arcuate fitting 510. The otherend of the arcuate fitting 510 has provided therewith a substantiallyhammer shaped pin 513 having two ends 513A and 513B which fit withinopenings 160Y and cooperative opening 161Y (not shown) as may be bestinferred from FIG. 11. The end of the arcuate fitting nearest the hammerhead pin 513 tapers from the main body of the arcuate fitting 510 at aneck 517 to the hammer head 513. The arcuate shape of the fittingtherefore allows the arcuate fitting 510 to abut the left edge of thediscontinuous hub 160X thus completing the hub to allow the cableanchored at opening 160Y at pin 513 to accumulate upon itself in coiledfashion. The fitting 510 therefore in the position labelled as Q1 actsas a portion which completes the circumference of the hub 160X. However,when the cable is completely payed out as is the case at position Q2,then the arcuate fitting 510 will pivot as best seen in FIG. 16C at theQ2 position to extend along with the cable 128 toward the mouth 121G ofthe winch housing 121. A supplementary portion 121X as best seen in FIG.16D is located adjacent the mouth 121G of the housing 121. Thissupplementary portion 121X includes an opening therethrough 121Z whichis larger than the diameter of the cable 128. However, when the cable isfully payed out as in position Q2 of FIG. 16C, then the flattenedportion 128B of the cable 128 will enter the opening 121Z wherein theside walls 128C will abut the material of the supplementary portion 121Xadjacent the opening 121Z thereby preventing any further rotation of thereel 160 in the paying out direction for the cable thereby preventingthe cable from backdriving upon itself within the reel 160, and thusrisking damaging the cable.

Referring now to FIGS. 23A, 23B and 23C, there is illustrated analternative actuating mechanism for the winch assembly of FIG. 21wherein the shaft 135 has disposed therewith a substantially horseshoeshaped spring steel-like member 500 which frictionally engages theperimeter of the shaft 135. The clip has two ends 500A and 500B. The end500A includes an opening 501 which engages with the operator 432. A stopS3 is provided with the mounting bracket 400 which resides between thelegs 500A and 500B at all times. When the winch assembly is operated asis described in relation to FIG. 23, the actuator will rotate in, forexample a counterclockwise direction of approximately 3/4" so that thelatch mechanism 430 will disengage the head of the carrier as has beenpreviously described, and wherein the arm 500B will engage the stop S3so that continued rotation of the winch provides for the slippage of theactuator 500 and the continued motion of the winch which allows forpaying out the cable. Alternatively, when the winch is rotated in theopposite direction, the arm 500A will engage the stop S3 and theactuator 500 will slip in relation to the shaft 135 allowing the cableto be taken up. This action is very similar in principle to thedescription provided previously in relation to FIG. 23 with theexception that the disks have been replaced by a much simpler cliparrangement which slips in relation to the shaft 135.

Referring to FIG. 23B, the clip 500 therefore is provided on shaft 135within an opening or groove 135Z of approximately 1 mm in depth therebyanchoring the clip within said groove on the shaft 135. The end 135Xtherefore does not include any fastening arrangements. However, withrespect to FIG. 23A and 23C, the clip 500 is inserted over the shaft 135so that the arms 500A and 500B contain therebetween the stop S3. Awasher 453 is then inserted over the end of the shaft 135X aligned withthe opening 135E so that the fastener 453 can enter the opening 135E.Consistent with the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,918,345 and 3,195,156,the teachings thereof which are hereby incorporated by reference, theopening 135E is not threaded. The fastener 453 has a shank portion 453Aand a working portion 453B as best seen in relation to FIG. 23D. Theworking end 453B of the fastener 453 is provided with three high spotssubstantially as illustrated proximate the working end thereof. The highspots 453X, 453Y and 453Z therefore, consistent with the above-mentionedpatent disclosures, creates a rolled thread within the opening 135E asthe fastener is driven into the opening. Therefore a secure fastening ofthe entire winch assembly of FIG. 21 through 28 and FIGS. 23A, 23C and23D, is provided.

Alternative embodiments of the actuator may be provided by providing anextension arm attached to or integral with the drive shaft 135 resultingin a similar slipping action to either the operation of the actuator ofFIG. 23 or the actuator of FIG. 23A. For example, if a single armextended from the shaft 135 and could slip in relation thereto, then aslong as two stops are provided for that arm and the arm had an openingto engage with the operator 432, then the functionality would beidentical. Similarly, a collar or cap which frictionally engaged the endof the shaft 135 anchored in the 1 mm groove (provided for the preferredspring steel clip 500) could also include an arm which could operate inessentially the same manner. It is therefore assumed that those skilledin the art in reading all of the various actuating mechanisms providedwith this disclosure could readily conceive of many equivalent actuatorsto those described herein having read this disclosure and having thefull knowledge of the disclosure, and the art.

Referring now to FIG. 34, there is illustrated a vehicle VX havingprovided near the rear RX thereof a winch assembly similar to any winchassembly as described in relation to FIGS. 21 through 28 located withrespect to the truck in a manner similar to that illustrated withrespect to FIG. 31 and installed in the vehicle consistent with theillustration and description of the assembly described in relation toFIG. 33.

Therefore, as the vehicle VX passes over rough terrain or ground G andpasses a number of hills G1 and G2, the tire TX may bottom out or scuffthe apex of the hilly portion G1 of the ground G. The tire TX which isalready under compression under the vehicle as a result of winding thetire up in the stored position via cable 128. An impact force due toscuffing the tire on the ground G will cause further compression of thetire at the point of impact about the side wall of the tire potentiallycausing a twisting of the tire on the winch assembly. Further, themotion of the vehicle VX in a forward direction will cause a force to beimparted on the side wall of the tire in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of the truck. This scuffing force therefore must beresolved upon the winch assembly, at least in part, to prevent the lossof the tire. The tire TX when it is in the stored position abuts theframe members B1 and B2 as best seen in relation to FIG. 33. The tire istherefore placed under compression at the side walls which force iscreated through the tensioning of the flexible cable 128 when the winchis operated and the tire is stored in the storage position. When thetire is subjected to the external forces tending to displace the tirefrom the stored position, illustrated as forces FX and FY in FIG. 34,these forces will be resisted by the structure of the winch assembly.The mounting bracket 400 mounted to the frame members, the tire carrier455, the flexible member 128, the latch 430 and the latch tube 405 willresolve the forces FX and FY in part to the frame of the vehicle and inthe preferred embodiment deforming in part the latch tube 405 and thelatch 430 should the flexible cable 128 break risking release of thetire. Although the scuffing force may cause the cable to break, atspeeds up to 35 miles per hour to date the tire has remained safelycontained within the winch assembly.

As many changes can be made to the invention without departing from thescope of the invention, it is intended that all material containedherein by interpreted as illustrative of the invention and not in alimiting sense.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are as follows:
 1. A winch assembly comprising:awinch for letting out and taking up a flexible member which moves a loadfrom a stored position to an accessible position; a solitary mountingbracket having a top and a bottom to be fastened directly to anundercarriage of a vehicle; a latch tube affixed to said mountingbracket and extending away from the bottom of said mounting bracket;said winch being affixed to said mounting bracket proximate the latchtube; a biased latch mounted on the latch tube and being moveable awayfrom and toward said latch tube, said biased latch having a first detentdisposed on the biased latch adjacent said latch tube; the winchassembly having a carrier for carrying the load, said carrier beingengaged with the flexible member, the carrier having a second detentwhich is positioned in a safety position with respect to the firstdetent of said latch when the load is at the stored position; whereinwhen said load is moved to the stored position the first detent is movedinto engagement with the second detent of the carrier to prevent loss ofthe load at the safety position, thus ensuring that should the flexiblemember break that the latch will retain the load proximate the storedposition.
 2. A winch assembly comprising:a winch; a carrier for a sparetire, said carrier having a latching detent; a single mounting bracketfor mounting the winch assembly directly to an undercarriage of avehicle, the mounting bracket having a bottom and sides; the winch whenoperated letting out and taking up a length of a flexible member, saidflexible member being affixed at one end to the winch, and being affixedat the other end to the carrier; the letting out and taking up of themember moving the spare tire, installed on the carrier, from a storedposition, under the vehicle, to an accessible position below the storedposition; the mounting bracket having formed therein a winch mountingfirst area, and a tire carrier and cooperative flexible member outletsecond area spaced from the winch mounting first area, and havingaffixed to proximate the second area of the mounting bracket a latchtube extending away from the bottom of the mounting bracket, said latchtube guiding the carrier for the spare tire and the flexible member toand from the stored position; a biased latch said latch tube, biased byresilient biasing means to a latched position and moveable away from andtoward said latch tube and positioned below the latching detent of saidcarrier when the tire is in the stored position; the mounting bracketfor the winch having reinforcing at least proximate said sides andsecond area; wherein when the tire, having side walls, is in the storedposition the tire abuts the frame of the vehicle proximate the sidewalls of the tire placing a compressive force on the side walls of thetire through the tire carrier which force is generated throughtensioning of said flexible member by operation of the winch, wherebyany significant external displacing force placed on the tire tending toseparate the tire from the winch assembly will be resisted by themounting bracket, the tire carrier, the flexible member, the latch andthe latch tube resolving the forces to the frame of the vehicle anddeforming in part the latch tube and latch should the flexible memberbreak.
 3. A winch assembly carrying a winch including a winch housinghaving a mouth from which a resilient member extends and is contained,said assembly being affixed to a vehicle near a stored position for aload by winch assembly mounting means;the winch comprising:a winch reelhaving a plurality of cooperating reel plates which are joined together,the winch reel having a bottom upon which the resilient memberaccumulates; the winch reel when operated letting out and taking up alength of the resilient member mounted at one end to the winch reelproximate the bottom and substantially accumulating in a coil around thebottom of the winch reel between the reel plates; the resilient memberbeing affixed proximate the other end to a carrier for the load; theletting out and taking up of the resilient member moving the load fromthe stored position to an accessible position remote from the storedposition; the end of the resilient member mounted on the reel beingpivotably retained within openings provided in each of the cooperatingreel plates adjacent the bottom of the winch reel by an arcuatepivotable fitting mounted on the end of the resilient member mounted onthe reel, said fitting having pins on an end of the fitting which extendbetween the reel plates for pivoting frictional engagement within theopenings in the reel plates; the arcuate pivotable fitting beingmoveable from a first position wherein the arcuate pivotable fitting isadjacent the bottom of the winch reel and forms a part thereof therebyallowing the flexible member to accumulate in coils around the bottom ofthe winch reel including the arcuate pivotable fitting, wherein duringpayout of the resilient member continued rotation of the reel after thepayout of the final coil causes the arcuate pivotable fitting to pivotto an anti-rotate position proximate the mouth of the housing, and incombination with the resilient member, prevent further rotation of thereel in the direction tending to pay out the resilient member; whereinthe arcuate pivotable fitting is flattened adjacent an end of thefitting adjacent the resilient member and the portion of the resilientmember adjacent the fitting is also flattened; wherein at theanti-rotate position the flattened portion of the member engagesmaterial disposed proximate the mouth of the housing.